Americans' views of the uninsured: an era for hybrid proposals

Data drawn from ten recent public opinion polls show that the issue of the uninsured is likely to become more visible on the U.S. agenda, although not as prominent as it was in the early 1990s. Although there is no public consensus on any single approach, a hybrid plan--which leaves workplace insurance in place and includes elements of several proposals now being discussed to cover more of the uninsured--offers the possibility of public support. The critical issue is whether or not there will be public support in the future for raising revenues to pay for major expansions in coverage.